Wait to file taxes until Jan. 26 election

If you’re in a hurry to file your tax return, the Oregon Department of Revenue asks you to hold on to it until after the January 26 special election.

“If people file before the special election, we’ll hold their returns until we know the election results. But we’d rather everyone wait to file,” said Theresa Schuh, personal income tax policy manager.

The agency doesn’t usually start processing tax returns until mid to late January, anyway, she said.

Even though tax return processing will start a few days later this year, most taxpayers who file electronically will get their refunds five to 10 days after their returns are processed.

“If you e-file your tax return on February 1, you could have your refund by February 8,” she said.

Visit www.oregon.gov/DOR/ESERV/elect-filing.shtml for more information on e-filing.

For more information on Oregon income taxes, tax forms and instructions, and to check the status of your refund, visit www.oregon.gov/DOR, or call 1-800-356-4222 toll-free from an Oregon prefix (English or Spanish); 503-378-4988 in Salem and outside Oregon; or e-mail, questions.dor@state.or.us. For TTY (hearing or speech impaired), call 1-800-886-7204. Because of the volume of calls the department receives during tax season, callers may experience extended waiting times.